Rock Creek Mine 131 opinion and order.

Judge throws out Trump administration’s controversial approval of mine that threatened imperiled grizzly bears and bull trout

Order reversing the decision of Montana’s Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) to grant a water use permit for the Rock Creek Mine, a silver-copper mine proposed in northwest Montana’s Cabinet Mountains.

In a notable victory for the iconic Cabinet Mountains Wilderness, Hecla’s permit is reversed

This case challenges the failure of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and U.S. Forest Service to comply with the Endangered Species Act in approving commencement of the Rock Creek Mine project, a major industrial copper and silver mine proposed in the unspoiled Cabinet Mountains of northwest Montana.

Clark Fork Coalition, Rock Creek Alliance, Earthworks, and Montana Environmental Information Center (collectively, the “Conservation Groups”) hereby object to the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation’s ( “DNRC”) Preliminary Determination to Grant Permit in response to an Application for Beneficial Water Use Permit No. 76N 30068837 by RC Resources, Inc. (June 22, 2016) (“Preliminary Determination”).

Conservation groups petitioned the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to take a new look at the harmful effects that the proposed Rock Creek Mine would inflict on imperiled bull trout and grizzly bears in light of recently disclosed information revealing threats to these species that the agency has never considered.

Conservation groups call for Endangered Species Act review for species threatened by mine

Suits aim to protect grizzly bears and bull trout

Grizzly bear and bull trout habitat threatened

This map shows the extent of grizzly habitat in the lower 48 US states in 1850.

This map shows the extent of grizzly habitat in the lower 48 US states in 1920.

This map shows the extent of grizzly habitat in the lower 48 US states in 1970.

The Fish and Wildlife Service rewrote a biological opinion that originally said that a mine proposed in the Cabinet Mountains in Montana could wipe out grizzly bears and bull trout there — the new opinion says the mine poses no threat. A district court has now ruled that opinion illegal too, halting the mine for…

Ruling spells relief for grizzlies, bull trout and local citizens

Mine proposed for NW corner of Montana